Commercial transportation garment bag and methods

ABSTRACT

A commercial transportation garment bag includes a flexible, fluid-impermeable bag made of sustainable material to protect articles from damage, dirt and moisture during storage and transoceanic transportation shipping while lowering transportation cost and carbon footprint. The commercial transportation garment bag includes a storage area, a valve opening, and a one-time-use seal. A method of using the commercial transportation garment bag includes placing an article within the storage area through the storage area access opening, sealing the storage area access opening with an one-time-use seal, and evacuating fluid from the storage area through the valve device with a vacuum source.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to transoceanic shipping materials, and in particular to an economical commercial transportation garment bag used for factory storage and transoceanic shipping and a method of making and using the commercial transportation garment bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, articles of clothing manufactured overseas are packaged in loose protective polymer bags before being placed in master cartons for transoceanic shipping. The polymer bags are used to protect articles of clothing from damage, dirt and moisture during storage and transoceanic transportation. Each bag when packaged contains typically more than 20% air after closing, and, thus, fewer articles may be packaged within the master cartons. Therefore, transoceanic shipping costs and carbon footprint increase because more master cartons, more pallets and more containers and ultimately more fuel is needed and consumed to manufacture and transport the bags. In addition, packaged goods are sitting in garment factory warehouses and retail distribution centers, taking up valuable space and real estate, increasing cost of inventory. When packing garments in warm and humid environments, moisture is trapped in loose polymer bags that over time during storage and transportation can lead to mold rendering the entire shipment as waste, since the odor resulting from the mold cannot be eliminated before retail. In some cases, durable storage bags may be used to prevent trapped moisture, but they are typically thicker in gage and include a large manual plastic screw valve.

The described storage bags currently available in the marketplace are designed for multi-use, are higher in cost and bulkier. Therefore, they do not offer a reasonable economical solution for shipping. In addition, manufacturers are looking to reduce landfill waste from shipping materials. Thinner gage, mono-material, recyclable bag solutions are needed, and biobased are preferred.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Examples of the disclosure include a commercial transportation garment bag comprising a flexible, fluid-impermeable bag made of sustainable material. The commercial transportation garment bag includes a first panel and a second panel that are laminated. The first panel includes a first periphery and the second panel includes a second periphery. The first panel and the second panel are hermetically sealed or laminated together along a portion of the first periphery and the second periphery to define a storage area between the first panel and the second panel and a storage area access opening, where the first periphery and the second periphery are not hermetically sealed together. In addition, a flat film based valve device is configured to provide fluid communication with the storage area, where the valve device may include a valve opening through the first panel and a valve member sealed about the valve opening. A tear strip extends across a portion of the storage area, wherein the tear strip is configured to provide one-time-use access to the storage area. Alternatively, a simple tear notch in the seal can provide the function to tear bag open without the use of sharp objects as to not damage garments inside the bag.

Further examples of the disclosure include a method of using a commercial transportation garment bag comprising a flexible, fluid-impermeable bag made of sustainable material including a storage area, a storage area access opening, a valve device, and a tear strip. The method includes the steps of placing an article within the storage area through the storage area access opening. The method further includes the step of sealing the storage area access opening with an one-time-use seal. The method still further includes the step of evacuating fluid from the storage area through the valve device with a vacuum source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These, as well as other objects and advantages of this invention, will be more completely understood and appreciated by referring to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of an example commercial transportation garment bag;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the commercial transportation garment bag of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2, with an ultraviolet light blocking structure;

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2, but shows the commercial transportation garment bag with a film to block ultraviolet light;

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 2, but shows the commercial transportation garment bag with a tamper identification film;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a portion of the commercial transportation garment bag in an unassembled condition;

FIG. 6 is an a top view of an alternative portion of the commercial transportation garment bag in an unassembled condition;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a commercial transportation garment bag showing one example process for sealing a first periphery to a second periphery;

FIG. 8 is a top view of a commercial transportation garment bag preparing an article for shipment;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the commercial transportation garment bag of FIG. 8 with the article inside a storage area;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the commercial transportation garment bag of FIG. 9 taken along line 10-10 with the article inside a storage area;

FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 10, but show the commercial transportation garment bag compressed prior to sealing a one-time-use seal;

FIG. 12 is a top view of a commercial transportation garment bag showing one example of sealing the one-time-use seal;

FIG. 13 is a top view of a commercial transportation garment bag with a sealed one-time-use seal;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a commercial transportation garment bag of FIG. 13 taken along line 14-14 showing the use of a vacuum source;

FIG. 15 is a top view of a commercial transportation garment bag showing tearing the sealed one-time-use seal; and

FIG. 16 is a top view of an opened commercial transportation garment bag with the article removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The apparatuses and methods disclosed in this document are described in detail by way of examples and with reference to the figures. Unless otherwise specified, like numbers in the figures indicate references to the same, similar, or corresponding elements throughout the figures. It will be appreciated that modifications to described examples, arrangements, configurations, components, elements, apparatuses, methods, materials, etc. can be made and may be desired for a specific application. In this disclosure, any identification of specific shapes, materials, techniques, arrangements, etc. are either related to a specific example presented or are merely a general description of such a shape, material, technique, arrangement, etc. Identifications of specific details or examples are not intended to be, and should not be, construed as mandatory or limiting unless specifically designated as such. Selected examples of apparatuses and methods are hereinafter disclosed and described in detail with reference made to the figures.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a commercial transportation garment bag 10 is shown. When fully expanded, the commercial transportation garment bag 10 can have various geometries, such as substantially rectangular parallel piped shape. Shape and dimensions of the bag may be altered and more than one article of clothing may be present in the commercial transportation garment bag 10 when fully expanded. The commercial transportation garment bag 10 may be of various sizes including but not limited 550 millimeters by 990 millimeters or even greater, ideally matching the size of the master carton for highest packing efficiency.

In one embodiment, the commercial transportation garment bag 10 may be used to transport articles, such as clothing, from overseas manufacturing to protect an article 100 from dust, dirt and fluids such as air and water, while reducing costs associated with transoceanic shipping. Specifically, the commercial transportation garment bag 10 may be composed of a flexible, lightweight sustainable material as an alternative to conventional heavy weight materials. The lightweight sustainable materials allows the commercial transportation garment bag 10 to efficiently conform to the shape of the article 100 within a storage area 60 defined within the commercial transportation garment bag 10, which greatly reduces storage volume in the master carton that is prepared for transoceanic shipping. Furthermore, the commercial transportation garment bag 10 may provide storage in a manufacturing facility, a distribution center, or a store.

The sustainable material may be recyclable and/or bio-based or recycled or bio-degradable material, such as general polyolefins with or without additives, i.e. combinations of high and low density polyethylene, polypropylene, bi-axial oriented polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate or any combination thereof that could be recycled in industrial recycling infrastructure. The sustainable material of the present invention is thinner and lighter weight than conventional storage bags. The sustainable material may be flexible and fluid-impermeable to fluids such as water and air. In addition, the sustainable material may be clear or semi-opaque. Furthermore, the sustainable material may be multi-layered.

In addition to being constructed of lightweight materials, the commercial transportation garment bag 10 and the article 100 may be compressed to a reduced size using a vacuum source for a period of more than three months. Based on the article's material construction, different materials may be compressed without permanently damaging the article. For instance, 40 to 60 percent of excess fluid can be extracted from generic cotton and polyester jersey and cotton, polyester or wool knitted items, and up to 80% excess fluid may be extracted from down-filled or on synthetic polyester fill items.

In one embodiment, the commercial transportation garment bag 10 may include a valve device 30, a one-time-use seal 40, a first panel 15, a second panel 25, an edge seal 140, and a tear strip 50. The commercial transportation garment bag 10 may alternatively include a tear notch 51, which may be used to start a tear across the bag 50.

The valve device 30 may include a valve opening through the first panel 15, and a valve member capable of providing a hermetically sealed about the valve opening. Preferably, the valve device 30 is film-based for recycling purposes along with the bag, flat, lightweight, and operates as a one-way valve. The valve device 30 is preferably smaller than one-inch in diameter, although various sizes may be contemplated. Other valve constructions may be utilized to maintain an airtight and watertight seal.

The one-time-use seal 40 in one embodiment is 3 to 4 millimeters in width, although various widths may be contemplated. The one-time-use seal 40 may extend across a storage area access opening 65 from side to side (side seal to side seal). Alternatively, the commercial transportation garment bag 10 may include a resealable seal or device so that the commercial transportation garment bag 10 may be reused. The resealable seal may be made of conventional resealable seal materials such as interlocking ribs and channels or the like.

The commercial transportation garment bag 10 may include at least one panel. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the commercial transportation garment bag 10 may be composed of two panels, the first panel 15 and the second panel 25. The first panel 15 and the second panel 25 are hermetically sealed to one another by the edge seal 140. The edge seal 140 in one embodiment is 3 to 4 millimeters in width. However, the edge seal may be any width sufficient to resist tearing of the commercial transportation garment bag 10.

The tear strip 50 may extend across the storage area access opening 65. The tear strip 50 is a portion of the first panel 15 and the second panel 25 that is thinner and weaker. The tear strip 50 is located near the one-time-use seal 40 and may provide one-time-use access to the storage area 60. In one embodiment, the tear notch 51 may be provided at one end or both ends of the tear strip 50 or on the seal in general without tear strip.

Additionally, the commercial transportation garment bag 10 may be provided with a moisture level sensing device 85 and/or a pressure level sensing device 90 that provides communication within the storage area 60 of the commercial transportation garment bag 10 to monitor atmospheric conditions. The moisture level sensing device 85 and/or pressure level sensing device 90 may be gauges that use numerals with the appropriate units of measurement to indicate specific levels of moisture and pressure in the storage area 60. Alternatively, the moisture level sensing device 85 and/or pressure level sensing device 90 may include gauges that display a color to indicate the conditions within the storage area 60. In one embodiment, the gauges may be designed to display the color green, yellow, or red depending on atmospheric conditions within the storage area 60. For example, green may be displayed if the atmospheric conditions fall within a predetermined acceptable range, yellow may be displayed if the atmospheric conditions are beginning to approach the outer limits of the acceptable range, and red may be displayed if the atmospheric conditions fall completely outside the acceptable range.

The moisture level sensing device 85 and/or pressure level sensing device 90 may allow a receiving dock worker to determine if the commercial transportation garment bag 10 developed a leak based upon a decrease in pressure and/or an increase in moisture. Also, the pressure level sensing device 90 may increase efficiency of the shipping worker. For instance, the pressure level sensing device 90 may assist the shipping worker to determine when to discontinue use of a vacuum source 160 (e.g. see FIG. 14) or an industrial pump to avoid permanent damage to the articles 100. Finally, the pressure level sensing device 90 will allow the shipping worker to package articles within the commercial transportation garment bag 10 at specific pressure levels. For example, a desired pressure level in the storage area 60 is dependent upon the properties of the article 100.

In another embodiment, the commercial transportation garment bag 10 may be configured to block ultraviolet light. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, an ultraviolet light blocking structure 95 may be integrated into at least one the first panel 15 and second panel 20 of the commercial transportation garment bag 10. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, at least one the first panel 15 and second panel 20 of the commercial transportation garment bag 10 may include a film 120 to block ultraviolet light.

The commercial transportation garment bag 10 may include a tamper indicating device 110, as shown in FIG. 1. The tamper indicating device 110 may extend across at least a portion of the storage area access opening 65. However, the tamper indicating device 110 may be placed anywhere on the commercial transportation garment bag 10 such as over the one-time-use seal 40 or the tear strip 50. Alternatively, a tamper identification film 130 (e.g. see FIG. 4) may be present, which may change appearance once the tamper identification film 130 has been altered. For example, the tamper identification film 130 of the commercial transportation garment bag 10 may be initially transparent, but the tamper identification film 130 may change colors if the tamper indicating film 130 is disturbed. Using a highly visible color, the receiving dock worker may quickly and efficiently determine whether the commercial transportation garment bag 10 has been tampered. Alternatively, the tamper identification film 130 may be imprinted with a series of shapes such as a series of “X's”, circles, or triangles. Once the tamper indicating film 130 is disturbed, the series of shapes imprinted on the tamper indicating film 130 would become appreciably distorted. Any other appropriate tamper indicating devices may be employed that allows the receiving dock worker to quickly and efficiently ascertain whether the commercial transportation garment bag 10 was tampered.

Additionally, the commercial transportation garment bag 10 may be provided with an inlay, such as a radio frequency identification tag 80. The radio frequency identification tag 80 may be used to track an overseas shipment. Furthermore, the radio frequency identification tag 80 may be used to determine if the commercial transportation garment bag 10 has been opened. By placing the radio frequency identification tag 80 on or near the one-time-use seal 40 or tear strip 50, different frequencies may be emitted by an unopened and opened commercial transportation garment bag to a radio frequency identification tag reader.

Methods of making the commercial transportation garment bag 10 will now be described. Referring to FIGS. 5-6, the commercial transportation garment bag 10 may include the first panel 15 and the second panel 25. The first panel 15 and the second panel 25 may be manufactured separately apart from one another as two separate sheets. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the first panel 115 and the second panel 125 may be manufactured together as a single sheet.

The first panel 15 includes the first periphery 70, and the second panel 25 includes the second periphery 75. As shown in FIG. 7, a periphery sealing device 135 will seal the first periphery 70 to the second periphery 75. As the periphery sealing device 135 moves along an unsealed portion 145 of the first periphery 70 and the second periphery 75, the periphery sealing device 135 will form the edge seal 140 (e.g. see FIG. 8) connecting the first periphery 70 to the second periphery 75, which will hermetically seal the first periphery 70 to the second periphery 75. Alternatively, a U-shaped seal may seal the first periphery 70 and the second periphery 75. By hermetically sealing the first periphery 70 to the second periphery 75, the storage area 60 (e.g. see FIG. 2) and the storage area access opening 65 are formed. The storage area access opening 65 is formed along a side where the first periphery 70 and the second periphery 75 are not hermetically sealed. Preferably, heat sealing is used to hermetically sealing the first periphery 70 to the second periphery 75. However, any suitable method may be utilized to hermetically seal the first periphery 70 to the second periphery 75 such as ultrasonic welding or pressure sensitive adhesive.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 5, the storage area access opening 65 may be accessible by an opening hermetically sealing the first panel 15 to the second panel 25. The one-time-use seal 40 may be used to seal both panels together.

Referring to FIGS. 8-14, methods of using the commercial transportation garment bag will be described. While in the manufacturing facility, the commercial transportation garment bag 10 will be provided to a garment factory worker. The commercial transportation garment bag 10 will be provided in a completely deflated, flat condition so as to conserve space during the shipping of the commercial transportation garment bag 10 to the manufacturing facility. To begin using the commercial transportation garment bag 10, the garment factory worker takes the commercial transportation garment bag 10 and separates the first panel 15 and the second panel 25 from one another to maximize the volume in storage area 60. As the garment factory separates the first panel 15 from the second panel 25 to expand the storage area 60, the storage area access opening 65 will likewise naturally expand, thereby allowing the garment factory to freely access the storage area 60.

Next as shown in FIG. 8, the garment factory inserts the article 100 through the storage area access opening 65 and into the storage area 60. Preferably, the shipping worker will place the article 100 equally distributed in area 60 as to maximize carton content later. However, successful use of the commercial transportation garment bag 10 does not require that the article 100 be placed equally distributed in the storage area or in any particular formation 60.

Referring to FIG. 9, the article 100 is now placed inside the storage area 60 of the commercial transportation garment bag 10. Across-section of the commercial transportation garment bag 10 is shown with the article 100 in an expanded state located in the storage area 60 in FIG. 10.

Before sealing the one-time-use bag 40, the garment factory worker can apply force to flatten the commercial transportation garment bag 10 around the article 100 to expel excess fluid from the storage area 60, as shown in FIG. 11. This optional step may increase efficiency of the garment factory worker because less fluid will need to pulled by the vacuum source 160 (e.g. see FIG. 14) or industrial pump. However, this step of flattening the commercial transportation garment bag 10 may be completed after sealing the one-time-use bag 40.

As shown in FIG. 12, the garment factory worker next may seal the one-time-use seal 40 with a sealing device 150 along the storage area access opening 65 by aligning the first panel 15 and the second panel 25. By sealing the one-time-use bag 40, the storage area 60 will no longer be accessible. Preferably, heat sealing is used; however, other methods of sealing may be used such as ultrasonic welding or pressure sensitive adhesive.

Referring to FIG. 13, the one-time-use bag 40 is shown with the article 100 enclosed in the storage area 60. Next, as shown in FIG. 14, the garment factory worker may attach the vacuum source 160 to the commercial transportation garment bag 10 via the valve device 30. Once the vacuum source 160 has been securely connected to the valve device 30, the garment factory worker may turn on the vacuum source 160 to evacuate the remaining fluid contained within the storage area 60 of the commercial transportation garment bag 10, which will reduce size of the commercial transportation garment bag 10. Once the storage area 60 has evacuated fluid to not permanently damage the article 100, the garment factory worker may remove the vacuum source 160 from the valve device 30. If the valve device 30 is the one-way valve, the valve device 30 will automatically self-seal once the vacuum source is removed. If the valve device 30 is provided with an optional protective valve cover, the garment factory worker may then attach the protective valve cover to the valve device 30 to further increase effectiveness of the valve device 30, thereby completing the process of vacuum sealing the article within the commercial transportation garment bag 10.

Referring to FIGS. 15-16, methods of using the commercial transportation garment bag will be described. After the commercial transportation garment bag 10 is shipped, the receiving worker in the distribution center or retailer must first unseal the one-time-use bag 40. To unseal the one-time-use bag 40, the receiving worker in the distribution center or retailer tears the first panel 15 and the second panel 25 along the tear strip 50. As the receiving worker in the distribution center or retailer tears the commercial transportation garment bag 10 along the tear strip 50 by pulling the tear notch 51, tearing is localized to the weaker portions of the first panel 15 and the second panel 25 provided along the tear strip 50 or just across the bag. The tear notch 51 facilitates the initial tearing of the first panel 15 and the second panel 25 along the tear strip 50 or at a undefined line. Once the one-time-use bag 40 has been pulled open, the receiving worker in the distribution center or retailer can reach into the storage area 60 through the storage area access opening 65 and retrieve the article 100, as shown in FIG. 16.

Following use of the commercial transportation garment bag 10 with the one-time-use bag 40, the commercial transportation garment bag 10 may be recycled as shown in FIG. 16. By recycling the commercial transportation garment bag 10, the manufacturer reduces further its carbon footprint and landfill disposal waste. Alternatively, the commercial transportation garment bag 10 may be resealed using an additional one-time-use seal for smaller articles. However, if the commercial transportation garment bag 10 has the resealable seal, the commercial transportation garment bag 10 may be reused and sent back to the manufacturer.

It has thus been seen that a commercial transportation garment bag has been disclosed. While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, and that many modifications and equivalent arrangements may be made thereof within the scope of the invention, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures and products.

The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of their invention as it pertains to any apparatus, system, method or article not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set out in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A garment bag comprising: a flexible, fluid-impermeable bag made of sustainable material comprising a first panel and a second panel, the first panel includes a first periphery and the second panel includes a second periphery, the first panel and the second panel being hermetically sealed together along a portion of the first periphery and the second periphery to define a storage area between the first panel and the second panel and a storage area access opening where the first periphery and the second periphery are not hermetically sealed together; a valve device configured to provide fluid communication with the storage area, the valve device including a valve opening through the first panel and a valve member sealed about the valve opening; and a tear strip extending across a portion of the storage area and or a tear notch, wherein the tear strip is configured to provide one-time-use access to the storage area.
 2. The garment bag of claim 1, wherein sustainable material is recyclable and/or bio-based or recycled or bio-degradable material.
 3. The garment bag of claim 1, wherein the garment bag is configured to block with ultraviolet light.
 4. The garment bag of claim 3, further comprising an ultraviolet light structure integrated into at least one of the first panel and the second panel.
 5. The garment bag of claim 3, wherein the ultraviolet light structure comprises a film.
 6. The garment bag of claim 1, wherein the garment bag is provided with a moisture level sensing device for monitoring moisture within the storage area.
 7. The garment bag of claim 6, wherein the moisture level sensing device comprises a gauge that indicates that indicates the level of moisture within the storage area.
 8. The garment bag of claim 6, wherein the moisture level sensing device is configured to display alternative colors depending upon a level of moisture within the storage area.
 9. The garment bag of claim 1, wherein the commercial transportation garment bag is provided with a pressure level sensing device configured to monitor pressure within the storage area.
 10. The garment bag of claim 9, wherein the pressure level sensing device comprises a gauge that indicates the level of pressure within the storage area.
 11. The garment bag of claim 9, wherein the pressure level sensing device is configured to display alternative colors depending on a level of moisture within the storage area.
 12. The garment bag of claim 1, wherein the garment bag is provided with a tamper indicating device.
 13. The garment bag of claim 1, wherein the garment bag is provided with an RFID inlay.
 14. The garment bag of claim 1, wherein the garment bag is economical and configured to be recycled after one-way use.
 15. A method of using a commercial transportation garment bag comprising a flexible, fluid-impermeable bag made of sustainable material including a storage area, a storage area access opening, a valve device, and a tear strip, the method comprising the steps of: (i) placing an article within the storage area through the storage area access opening; (ii) sealing the storage area access opening with an one-time-use seal; and (iii) evacuating fluid from the storage area through the valve device with a vacuum source.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein after step (ii) and before step (iii), further comprising the step of conforming the commercial transportation garment bag to the article.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein step (ii) forms the one-time-use bag by heat sealing.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein step (iii) evacuates 0 to 80% of fluid from the storage area.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein step (iii) evacuates 40 to 60% of fluid from the storage area. 